Hon. Marie-Françoise Mégie: Honourable senators, today I rise to pay tribute to Nicole Gladu, who died of natural causes on March 27 at the age of 76. Her funeral was held last weekend in Montreal.

I didn’t know her personally, but everyone knew of her, and her name will always be a part of the conversation about medical assistance in dying.

Together with Jean Truchon, she challenged the constitutionality of the reasonably foreseeable natural death criterion for eligibility for medical assistance in dying.

Ms. Gladu contracted poliomyelitis at the age of four back when there was no vaccine, but the incurable degenerative disease did not stop her from achieving her dreams. Despite post-polio syndrome, she had a very full career as a journalist, a union leader, a director of communications and more. She left her mark on Quebec and internationally.

Although her health was declining, she found the strength to fight with determination, and she won her case on September 11, 2019.

Despite her victory, Ms. Gladu did not avail herself of medical assistance in dying. She fought for the right to choose her end of life and to extend that choice to all people for whom existence would become intolerable, people like Mr. Truchon.

Ms. Gladu chose to live out every moment of her life. She left us peacefully and naturally.

In her obituary, Ms. Gladu paid tribute to her family and to all the friends and colleagues who remained by her side and supported her through the various stages of her life. I want to join Ms. Gladu in thanking them for their dedication, and I offer my deepest condolences.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank all the caregivers in Canada and recognize their courage, sacrifice and selflessness. I would point out that April 5 is National Caregiver Day.

I had the privilege of working alongside my patients’ caregivers during my medical career. Their support is crucial for ensuring that sick people can remain at home safely and that those in palliative care can die with dignity.

I salute all the caregivers in Canada. May Ms. Gladu rest in peace.